You may want to look at the Ivista security webcam software, asit can do decent audio. The MS media encoder can also send audio,and it is free. Below is my test page using ivista that has theaudio function.

Assuming you already have routers in place,and if you could live with smaller 320x240 framesyou might want to look at the likes of the dsc-2000 dlink mpeg network camsand other makers of network cams too.

Could you give me some tips on how to accomplish a webcam setup foroutdoors? Perhaps maybe live feed onto a website? And also the possibilityof taking stills automatically (say every 10-15minutes), which can be savedto the harddrive.

>Hi,>>Could you give me some tips on how to accomplish a webcam setup for>outdoors? Perhaps maybe live feed onto a website? And also the possibility>of taking stills automatically (say every 10-15minutes), which can be saved>to the harddrive.>>Would this be hard to accomplish?>>Best,>SC

The usual setup for outdoor cams is a computer connected to theinternet with a capture card or device, an analog cam, and somesoftware on the computer to serve up the video. My page belowshows a simple (and free) setup to stream a video andcapture/save individual pix on a timed basis. I like the WinnovAV capture cards you can get on ebay for a reasonable price.Bottom are some cam suppliers. IP cams are becomming cheaper now,but I don't have any experience with them.

I would suggest a dedicated wireless video surveillance systems. Network loading can render networked web cams into stuttering and halting video best described as a bit of garbage.

If you are in offices geographically separated, you can tie some of the systems I suggest together to a central recorder. Google "consumer grade 10 camera security systems" to find suppliers.

Most dedicated systems have a central unit and a monitor to check any or all cameras, and they don't suffer the network loading issues. They can also record on an internal hard drive video that is reliable to later use to support the company in prosecuting illegal acts by employees. Lots also can 'see in the dark' because they see infrared, and have infrared emitter diodes on their face pointing right at what you want to see in the dark. You can use a digital camera to check your TV remotes since they too can see infrared.

A good thing to do is have each employee sign a document detailing that on company premises, any and all actions MAY be recorded. Their signature would be their assent/consent to such recording. No signature, give them a pink slip. And make it part of all new hires. After I left law enforcement, I had network administration duties. I was burdened with several employees who liked to use company laptops for downloading porn. We got them on camera and via tracking IPs they visited, AND we had a policy (signed by all) in place.

I had to fire one guy, and oddly, the company GAVE him the laptop he had been using, and told him to leave immediately, which he quite happily did with porn still on the laptop... We would have likely wanted to dip it in Lysol anyhow!

The others quit what he had been doing and it was back to business... If your company has a lawyer on retainer, they can supply a bullet resistant or bulletproof document as I suggest.

Most businesses that have security camera systems, and don't use networks due to loading issues I mentioned. Banks have a Federal mandate forced on them to have minimum standards as to surveillance, for obvious reasons. Most of these mandates are FBI driven, to help them find the criminals who hit banks.

I come from a background in law enforcement, so I have researched this quite a bit and done a few off duty jobs installing systems and testing and fine tuning them.

Good luck, and check with the legal staff before taping on premises to avoid a potential legal minefield.